Newbie with a problem: Timeout (ARP/RARP), boot process, prompt

[scribe3s]

I just bought a used Sun Blade 150 (UltraSPARC IIe 650MHz, OpenBoot 4.6, 1025 MB RAM, and Ethernet address and Host ID both listed). I am new to Solaris (having moved from Linux). As soon as I boot up, I am met with the following:

Boot device: net File and args:
Link hasn't come up yet ((I have an Ethernet cable attached))
Will try to communicate anyway
Network setup link failed
Please check cable and try again
Timeout waiting for ARP/RARP packet
Network link setup failed......
ad nauseam............

I never receive a break in this and have no idea how to get out of it, so I don't have the option of following the forums that refer to "going to the OK prompt). I never get to the OpenBoot as all I have is this scrolling info I have no idea how to stop (and I'm not familiar enough with Solaris to understand what many of the other postings suggest doing; I have a Sun keyboard, but don't understand what all of the keys do [yet]). Would anyone please tell me the simplest way of moving forward? Also, could someone also tell me how to change the boot process? I'd like to install Solaris 10 and have purchased the 6/06 DVD but can't seem to get the DVD to boot. I have done the proverbial "RTFM"s, etc....; I just need a way of of this scrolling screen hell I seem to be stuck in. Thanks to all for reading and offering suggestions! Cheers!

 

[Annihilannic]

Your system is apparently configured to boot from the network by default.

Use Stop-A to interrupt the boot process and drop to the OpenBoot PROM.

Then use set autoboot? false to prevent the system from attempting to boot automatically (you can change this back once you're happy with the setup). Use printenv to display the other parametrs that are set. I don't have a SPARC system handy to walk you through the rest, but your documentation should help with that.

Annihilannic.

 

[Annihilannic]

Sorry, that should be set auto-boot? false.

Annihilannic.

 

[Mike042]

Once you get to the ok prompt, use printenv to list the various environmental variable settings.
ok printenv

You should get 2 columns of data - the actual settings and the default settings. I would ensure all variables are set to their default settings with, for example:
ok set-default boot-command
ok set-default boot-device

Then make the changes you really need with, for example:
ok setenv auto-boot? false

When you want to install Solaris 10 from DVD, insert the DVD, and use:
ok boot cdrom


I hope that helps.

Mike